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Lynn--don't ever worry about not being able to "relate"! Some truths transcend all age gaps. Last night a friend proudly showed me an emailed picture of her Granddaughter sitting at the computer in her Dorm Room. On top of the computer was a snallplaque that read "We Have Met The Enemy, and He is Us."

I remembered seeing that very phrase printed in lurid Day-Glo above the sleeping bag in a "hippie" crash pad, and --much later--emblazoned across the rear bumper of a shiny new "Beamer" ! I believe Walt Kelly passed away before you "came into your own" as a Cartoonist but I'm sure you remember his work --and equally usre that Albert, Churchy, Howland and Pogo would all approve of yours!

Anne M, Winnipeg MB

Lynn:
Since I first read your strip, some 20 years ago, you have always brighten my day. Your strip and books have gotten me through some rough times. I always could see myself going through some of the same things with my own children as your alterego in the strip. I live near a small town in the country. I have no close neighbors, but when I read your strip and books, it made me feel like I have a friend that knew what I was going through. I am so anxious to see the holiday strips. Have a wonderful holiday season. God Bless!

Annalisa W, Oklahoma

The Pattersons' lives always interested me, but especially when Elly was pregnant with April. I was pregnant with my first child, a girl, at the same time and I was the same age. It was a comfort to read Elly's conflicted but hopeful feelings about the event. I even saved on Sunday strip that talked about baby items required as I was pretty clueless despite having a Ph.D. in Psychobiology! My daughter now reads the strip as she identifies strongly with April, as you can imagine. Thanks for the energy and love you have given to this effort.

Rebecca W-S, Bend, Oregon

I'd just like to say the strips from the past few days are some of the best we've seen in a very long time! More strips about Mike being taken down a peg, please! Kudos to you on a fine week so far! Keep up the good work!

Angela, Detroit MI

I have a suggestion; you don't have to print it, because some readers may interpet it in a way other than how I intend it.
It would be a drastic, yet realistic, storyline if April died in an auto accident involving teenage drinking.
I don't dislike April, so this is not a wish to just get her out of the strip.
However, I only feel that a very profound statement could be made about a situation which has existed ever since teens discovered alcohol and cars.
Yes; some extremely likeable young people die far too young...

Wesley M, Minneapolis Minnesota

I have found several things fascinating about the recent developments in For Better or Worse. Firstly, how the drawing has progressed over the time I have been reading the strip and how imperceptible that process has been. I have been reading the strip for about seven years and it is only now that you have been introducing older material that I realise how great the change has been. I am not sure why I am surprised at this, it is after all, to be expected that an artist would adapt and change.
Secondly I find myself a little jealous of those readers who have been reading the strip for all of the years Lyn has been drawing them. They saw Elizabeth, Michael and April grow and in the case of Michael produce children. I find myself continually having to remind myself that this is a cartoon and that the characters are real. I think that it is a real mark of Lynn's skill that the readers can invest such emotional capital in her characters so that we really care what happens to them.
I guess I am disappointed that we will not see April grow up and go to university but at least we, that is the more recent readers, will get the chance to see some of the stories we have missed.
Thanks for the huge amount of pleasure we get from the stories

Alan B, UK

I have been a fan "forever." I like the new concept about revisiting some of the older strips, but I have to say that I did like the fact that the characters aged like me (I'm 63), and their kids grew up and changed like mine (I have 6 and 11 grandchildren), and I had hoped that it wqould stay that way. I guess if they are going to be "frozen" in time, at least the idea that the continuing story lines will resolve is a good idea. Please continue to draw new strips. Thanks.

Jim D, Ontario California

Dear Lynn,
Like so many other families, we have loved following the lives of the Pattersons and their friends throughout the years. We are fans of yours from the beginning in 1979. We are enjoying the stroll down memory lane as we re-read the old strips. We purchased two strips, one in 1979 ("What Flaws?") and one in 1980 ("I think I'll wait before telling him he's done it all wrong.") They grace one of the walls in our home where we read and smile over them regularly. Thanks again for so many years of gentle smiles and belly laughs as we raised our own family.

Cindy N, Pleasanton CA

Lynn

Your stories are a part of our daily lives. They are the only comic strip that I read as they are a cut above the rest.

Thank you for all of the wonderful stories over the years. We have the entire collection of books at home and will sit down and revisit the family in the past, right up to the present. I still cry when I read about Farley's passing after saving April, I still can't read the entire poem in the 'All About April' book without tearing up, and we still get chuckles out of all of the funny situations throughout all of the books.

Like others, I sometimes disagree with the direction that story lines have taken, but I then remind myself that your comic strip is just that, a story, and you tell it so beautifully. It is so well written that you bring us all into the lives of the Patterson family and we want the best for all of them.

We will all miss seeing the family age, but we wish you well. Like Elly has, enjoy your 'you time' and do the things that are most important to you.

All the best.

Lori Y, Edmonton AB